Thomas Scofield

Longtime Little Falls resident Thomas Scofield passed away on September 17 at Abraham House in Utica after a courageous fight with cancer

Tom was born in Saranac Lake in 1945, being the youngest of four brothers and one sister. Tom’s brother Bob of Saranac Lake is the only family member still living.

Tom often enjoyed recounting his siblings’ and his own youthful exploits in the north country schussing down various ski trails and gliding on ice skates across frozen ponds and lakes during the long northern winters. The Scofields were a hearty crew who also played on high school soccer, football and track and field teams. Tom enjoyed talking about his Saranac high school track and field teammate and future political cartoon satirist Gary Trudeau (Doonsbury) who Tom said was a very good high jumper.

A few years after high school graduation, Tom entered the United States Navy. Tom served with distinction in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. His primary responsibilities involved helping to safely transport American soldiers and materials in and out of combat areas and repairing naval vessels. Tom was honorably discharged following four years of active duty.

  Throughout his adult life, Tom was for the most part self-employed. He was a skilled mason, house painter, and carpenter who always gave his customers more than their money’s worth of quality work. Tom never concerned himself with customers who did not pay him, his reasoning being that “they would get their own karmic punishment for having taken advantage of him.”

Above all else, Tom was a gentle soul who lived a non-material existence. He had a keen sense of fairness and justice. He was strong-willed and independent-minded. Tom was also well read and possessed an impressive library of books, many on religion, philosophy and natural healing. Tom was  a skilled gardener whose beautiful flowers and shrubs in front of his home made the street more pleasant. Tom was also a good neighbor and friend to those who lived nearby his Prospect Street home.

Tom was also an animal lover, many times taking stray cats into his home.

Tom’s insightful quips and humorous take on life itself and all of the people who he interacted with will be sorely missed. His bemused squinted eye smile would invariably follow one of his cornball one liners that he likely self-created. The pleasure of conversation with Tom will be no more.

Tom’s burial services are being handled privately through Vincent A. Enea Funeral Services (next to NBT Bank), 527 E. Albany St., Herkimer, NY.

Tom’s family and friends wish to thank the skilled staffs of professional caregivers at both Hospice and Abraham House for their compassionate care of Tom during his final weeks of life.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.